Which Muzzleloader to Buy?

[JEck]

Looking to upgrade muzzleloaders, currently have a Traditions Buckstalker, but can’t get it to group like I would like. Looking for something that can shoot consistent groups to 200 yards for antelope and deer. What rifle would be best, and what load development have you had the best luck with in that particular gun? Thanks.

 

[ElDiablito]

How much do you want to spend? Any restrictions on caliber, etc where you hunt?

TC Encore, TC Omega or Woodman Arms Patriot are all great options.

 

[Halligan]

I'll second @ElDiablito 's suggestions, especially with the rerelease of the Encore. For the spendy end of the spectrum (albeit based on information from others and not my own), Knight seems to be still chugging along making a good product these days. The bummer is that it seems their prices have shot up quite a bit in the last year or so.

 

[bcv]

I've got an Encore that shoulders perfectly for me and killed everything I've pulled the trigger on. No scope, 6 kills out to 110 yards using Barnes 290 grain T-EZ FB's and 120 grains by volume of Buckhron 209.

 

[Mtns2hunt]

TC encore for reliability and accuracy. I'm a bit different than most as I use a light bullet of 200 grains in front of 100g of BH. My average shot is set up for 200 yards. I have killed to 250 easy and punched paper to 350 yards.

Great rifle with much after market support i.e. Bellums Tc and Haus of arms to name a couple. MGM makes great barrels.

Can't wait for TC to get back up and

 

[mjspeers]

We need more information. If smokeless is an option and there’s an unlimited budget, that changes everything.

 

[rm90]

@JEck - Dont mean to hi-jack your post but i was thinking of posting and you have a similar question I wanted to posts.
I am looking to spend less than $2000-2500 all in Including Muzzleloader, Iron Sights and Bi-pod.
Looking to use BH209, 45 Cal

Do you guys think the TC Encore would fall within this criteria ?

Accessories looking to use are the Patented Arrowhead Gent 2 LRMP Breech Plug + an attached Ramrod, Do you think the TC Encore could accommodate these accessories
I would prefer a smokeless Muzzleloader, I looked at Arrowhead and Gun-werks but there to expensive for me at the moment. I would like to purchase something within a reasonable price.

States Hunting would be NV,AZ UTAH and my Home State CA.​

Do you guys have an alternative recommendation in lieu of BH209 ?

Peep Sights - I was looking at Revic Exo peep Sight would you recommend this peep or the Williams peep sights
P.S this would be my first Muzzleloader -
Looking to Hunt Post Archery/ Late ML Seasons
TIA

 

[ElDiablito]

@JEck - Dont mean to hi-jack your post but i was thinking of posting and you have a similar question I wanted to posts.
I am looking to spend less than $2000-2500 all in Including Muzzleloader, Iron Sights and Bi-pod.
Looking to use BH209, 45 Cal

Do you guys think the TC Encore would fall within this criteria ?

Accessories looking to use are the Patented Arrowhead Gent 2 LRMP Breech Plug + an attached Ramrod, Do you think the TC Encore could accommodate these accessories
I would prefer a smokeless Muzzleloader, I looked at Arrowhead and Gun-werks but there to expensive for me at the moment. I would like to purchase something within a reasonable price.

States Hunting would be NV,AZ UTAH and my Home State CA.​

Do you guys have an alternative recommendation in lieu of BH209 ?

Peep Sights - I was looking at Revic Exo peep Sight would you recommend this peep or the Williams peep sights
P.S this would be my first Muzzleloader -
Looking to Hunt Post Archery/ Late ML Seasons
TIA

A few thoughts.

Zero advantage to using an Arrowhead LRMP module plug instead of the OEM 209 plug in an Encore (they are a good option in some very high pressure smokeless applications but not for much of anything else.).

Revic peep?! You’re kidding. Not worth a fraction of what they want for it. I’d use a good Williams peep and globe front.

BH209 is the absolute best powder option short of smokeless.

I personally wouldn’t spend over a grand unless the rifle was smokeless capable.

CA, as you know, is nontoxic only so you’ll have to shoot monometal bullets (most likely in a sabot) there.

Retail on the new Encore is about $980. Would be a good choice.

Another great option is a Woodman smokeless barrel for a TC Omega. For less than a grand you can have a solid 500 yard rifle.

TC | Woodman Arms Inc.

www.woodmanarms.com

 

[JEck]

$1000ish is what I would like to spend. No restrictions as far as iron sights vs scope. Looking to stay in the blackpowder vs going smokeless.

How much do you want to spend? Any restrictions on caliber, etc where you hunt?

TC Encore, TC Omega or Woodman Arms Patriot are all great options.

 

[keystone112]

If you go Encore, I strongly recommend the Flextech stock. For me it completely changed the balance and feel of the rifle vs a wood stock.

Hopefully they will also be back in production. The prices for used ones are stupid.

 

[BChunt]

I have the Traditions Vortek and have had good luck with it. I can get 4 inch groups at 200 which I am happy with for a muzzleloader. Shooting BH209 powder and Powerboat ELR bullets

 

[Bluefish]

If you go Encore, I strongly recommend the Flextech stock. For me it completely changed the balance and feel of the rifle vs a wood stock.

Hopefully they will also be back in production. The prices for used ones are stupid.

There was a run of new encore ML last month. Built from parts left in sw inventory. Hope to see more on the shelves soon.

I have liked mine and just got a 45 cal barrel to try. I had a 50 cal barrel for Colorado rules on elk. Shot really well.

 

[ElDiablito]

$1000ish is what I would like to spend. No restrictions as far as iron sights vs scope. Looking to stay in the blackpowder vs going smokeless.

Smokeless capable rifles (SMLs) make the best black powder substitute rifles. I have six or seven SMLs and I often shoot Bh209 in them. You don’t have to shoot smokeless right away. But once you get more experience it’s really the way to go (if legal) where you’re hunting.

 

[Grillnugz]

I’ve had good luck with the 50cal CVA accura shooting BH209 and 330gr ELRs. Gun is easy to clean and operate. It’s a solid 200y gun with peep sights.

I’ve looked at the more expensive muzzleloaders and unless you’re going super magnum, shooting .45 projectiles fast and planning on taking longer shots, it’s not worth the price difference. If you limit your shots to 200y or so and shoot BH209, 50 cal bullet to bore is all you need.

If you want to shoot far get a cva paramount in 45 with a leupold rds (exposed turret model). My friend has this setup and we’ve gotten first shot hits at 600y when practicing. On the used market these can be had pretty cheaply ($600-800). If you want more performance get a custom smokeless muzzy.

 

[nphunter]

Knight UL in 50 Cal will cover you in every state just by changing the breach plug and bullet. The 45 cal is awesome if you don't plan on hunting elk with it in several states. I'm in OR so I need loose power, caps and open sights. With my Knight 45 shooting loose 777, #11's, full to bore bullets and a Williams sight I can shoot 3" groups at 300 yards, I also have a bolt and plug for primers where legal and could toss a scope on, the only issue is with 45 cal there are several states that I can't hunt elk. However my main purpose for buying the gun was to hunt deer and I love it. I have thought about picking a used UL up in 50 to have a nice pair, especially since I could swap bolts and accessories between the two.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Echo a lot of what has already been said. BH209 if you can’t handle the prices is worth it.

For a moderate, reasonable price point the CVA optima/ultima has served me well.

If you are willing to spend a chunk of cash, Luke at Arrowhead makes a fantastic rifle with a complete system that is lights out. Wonderful customer service too.

 

[JEck]

Next question, is there much difference in groupings with using white hots vs BH209…can’t find the 209 anywhere.

 

[Halligan]

TBH, the answer is the same as anything else to do load development or using different ammo/components, it really depends. As a general concept however, given that white hots are in pellet form, it is really luck of the draw if you can shoot the approximate charge you want and obtain your desired accuracy. This versus black horn in loose form (or other loose powders for that matter), in which you can truly tailor the charge to your gun.

 

[Yung6ix]

If you can find an OLD Remington 700 ML, those guns are awesome.

 

[ElDiablito]

TBH, the answer is the same as anything else to do load development or using different ammo/components, it really depends. As a general concept however, given that white hots are in pellet form, it is really luck of the draw if you can shoot the approximate charge you want and obtain your desired accuracy. This versus black horn in loose form (or other loose powders for that matter), in which you can truly tailor the charge to your gun.

This^^

Loose powder is nearly always better because you can precisely pick the best charge weight for your bullet and barrel.